The Portugal Government Scholarship is a fully funded initiative administered by the the Portuguese government, DGES (Directorate General for Higher Education). It aims to ensure equitable access to higher education for students from low-income backgrounds enrolled in Portuguese public and private institutions. This grant supports students pursuing a licenciatura, mestrado, or integrated master’s degrees, including internships after graduation.
Successful applicants receive annual financial aid covering tuition fees and living expenses, ensuring that financial hardship does not become a barrier to higher education.
Grant Benefits
The Portugal Government Scholarship offers extensive financial assistance to help students pursue higher education in Portugal without the burden of economic hardship. Through this grant, eligible students gain access to:
- Tuition Fee Support: Coverage of full or partial tuition fees depending on assessed financial need.
- Monthly Living Allowance: A stipend provided over ten months to support day-to-day expenses such as housing, transportation, and meals.
- Annual Grant Range: Offers financial support from €871 to €5,981 per academic year, based on income and household size.
- Internship Support: May include financial assistance for eligible professional internships conducted within 24 months after graduation.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet a number of academic, financial, and legal conditions to qualify for the 2026 Portugal Government Scholarship.
- Enrollment Status: Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s, or integrated master’s program at a Portuguese higher education institution.
- Residency Requirement: Must be a Portuguese citizen, an EU national living in Portugal, or a legally recognized non-EU national (e.g., refugees).
- Academic Load: Must register for at least 30 ECTS credits or an approved internship program.
- Income Threshold: Annual per capita household income must be less than €11,049.89.
- Asset Cap: Total household assets must not exceed €115,303.20.
- Academic Progress: Returning students must have passed at least 36 ECTS credits in the previous academic year.
Application Process
Applying for the Portugal Government Scholarship requires completing a centralized application through the BeOn platform associated with each university.
- Platform Access: Students must log in through their institution’s BeOn system.
- Online Submission: Complete the application form and upload all necessary documents.
- Simulator Use: Use the DGES online grant simulator to estimate eligibility and likely funding.
- Institutional Review: Applications are pre-checked by the university’s Social Action Office.
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Required Documents
To apply for the Portugal Government Scholarship, applicants must submit a range of documents verifying identity, income, and assets.
- Identification Documents: Valid Citizen Card or proof of legal residency in Portugal.
- Proof of Income: Income statements or IRS returns for all household members.
- Asset Declarations: Documentation showing property, car ownership, and investments (e.g., IMI statements).
- Bank Details: Bank statement and document showing IBAN in the applicant’s name.
- Authorization Forms: Signed consent for DGES to verify financial records with tax and social authorities.
Selection Process
Applications for the Portugal Government Scholarship are reviewed in a structured, multi-phase process to ensure fairness and transparency.
- Initial Screening: University social services confirm completeness of all submitted forms and documents.
- Financial Review: DGES calculates household income and assets based on submitted data and government databases.
- Automated Calculation: Grant amounts are determined using a standardized DGES algorithm factoring in household size and ECTS registration.
- Final Notification: Students are notified of their award decision through the institutional platform.
- Monitoring and Renewal: Annual renewal depends on continued eligibility and academic performance.
Grant Duration
The Portugal Government Scholarship is awarded for one academic year at a time. Students may reapply each year, and in some cases, may continue receiving support during approved internships completed within 24 months after graduation.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the 2026 Portugal Government Scholarship is 30 September 2025.
